What is the best way to switch my 3 fancy goldfish from a 5gl tank to a 10gl tank without stressing them out?

Question

I have 3 small fancy goldfish and an algea eater which may be outgrowing their tank. These fish were a gift a month ago and from what i've been reading it takes some time to establish a tank (something about bacteria). So what would be the best way to set up a new 10gl tank and move them in there without having them get stressed or sick?

Answer 1

I'd not waste my time going to a 10. It's still way too small. I'd go for a 29. As for cycling, they are already stressed enough in the 5. It really doesn't matter. Use Cycle or Stress Zyme to shorten the time to cycle the tank. Do water changes to relieve the ammonia toxicity. If you can't do the 29, even a 20, but going to a 10 seems just silly.

Answer 2

Is it possible for you to move the filter from the 5 gallon tank to the 10 gallon tank? If so, you won't have to worry about cycling as the vast majority of the bacteria colony is present on the filter media so you would be transferring the colony with the fish. If not, can you place some of the media from the established filter into the new one. That would help speed the cycle.

As for moving them, to lessen the stress, I would make the move a day after a normal water change. That way the water is still clean. Move the water from the existing tank straight into the new tank and put the fish in it. This doesn't help with the cycling as there is no beneficial bacteria present in the water but it keeps them in the water they are accustomed to so you won't have to go through the acclimation process of putting them in a bag and floating them.

Then slowly add more water back in to finish filling the new tank. Just make sure you use dechlorinator and that the temperature and pH of the fresh water is about the same as the water they are in. Temperature swings aren't nearly as bad as pH swings. Since you will probably be looking at adding about 5 gallons, I'd say add about a gallon every 15 to 20 minutes until full. If the pH and temp are the same, then go ahead and fill it up. Goldfish are very hardy so they should do fine.

One last thing, once you are finished, turn the lights off for several hours so they can recover from the stress. They will handle it better without the lights.

Answer 3

It's really quite simple - just move the filter from the 5 gallon onto the 10 gallon, and also move the gravel. Using the water from the old tank is not necessary since the tank isn't old and bacteria grows on surfaces and does not free-swim in the water, but it won't do any harm either. The new tank will continue using the same bacteria the 5 gallon was because you transferred it all over, and your fish will not suffer any stress beyond the physical move itself, which they can handle with ease.

If you have just bought the 10 gallon tank you might strongly consider taking the previous posters advice and just get a bigger tank now, or you will find yourself upgrading yet again once they outgrow this one. The 3 goldfish will eventually need a tank of 30 gallons, and many people would recommend even larger.

Answer 4

I agree that if you haven't already bought the 10 gallon, just keep saving for a while longer. The 3 goldfish alone need 30 gallons, and depending on what kind of algae eater that is... I would get a 35 gallon at minimum if I were you.

When you make the change, just make sure the temperature in the new tank is the SAME as the old tank and that you condition it the way you condition when you make water changes in the old tank. You'll need a bigger filter for the new tank, so don't use the old one, but you can take out the sponge/ceramic pellets/bags/whatever media is in there, and just set it inside the new tank. It will look ugly, but if you leave it in there for a few weeks it will keep your fish from having to survive the ammonia/nitrite spikes of a cycle. Using the old gravel will help, too. If you don't like it and are wanting to get new gravel, put several handfuls of the old stuff in a nylon kneehigh stocking and rest it in there for a few weeks. Like I said, ugly, but the filter and the gravel contain almost 100% of the bacteria your fish need for a healthy living environment.

Answer 5

Do you have your new tank up and running? That is the key question. Get it up and cycling to help toss in a piece of frozen fish or shrimp and let it rot. In about a week to two weeks your tank should be on the safe side, however Test your water to be sure it is safe for your fish.
When the tank is ready:
It is much easier to use a deep tupperware container vs. plastic bags when working with such a small tank. Be sure to fill the tupperware (or whatever) 3/4 full with your tank water. Net out one or two of your fish and place them into the container. Float the container as if it were bagged fish from the store.

Release and repeat.

Gold fish are more hearty than most people give them credit for.

Your filter from your 5 gallon does not contain enough beneficial bacteria to warrent switching it to your new tank. To fish out the gravel from your 5 and putting it into your ten, will cause more stress on the fish. Just cycle your new tank.

Any questions feel free to email me.
I am sure they will be fine. Be sure

Answer 6

get teh new tank set up. put the goldfish in a plastic bag of water from the old tank, inflate it with air hose, tie it off and float that bag in the new tank for 15-30 mins, then release the captives
of course catching them will stress them to some extent this will releive the temp change stress
also goldfish can live in a sewer treatment plant, so i wouldnt worry too much about that part lol

Answer 7

that's no longer inevitably genuine. I extremely have a pleco that is going into the pond with the goldfish each and every spring. i think of the priority some people have is they do no longer supplement the pleco's food plan. they're exceptionally efficient at cleansing the algae, so they ought to have algae flakes and vegetables further besides. otherwise, definite they might attempt to suck the slime coat off of slumbering or slow shifting fish. you could in all probability escape with a smaller form of pleco in the tank, fantastically with all that sturdy filtration you have, like a bristlenose or rubber lip pleco. They stay in the 4-6 inch selection. as long as there is sufficient food for them, they many times won't trouble the different fish. otherwise, as suggested, snails are exceptionally sturdy at cleansing the algae. Or such as you pronounced, the previous-shaped hand removing with a sponge :)

Answer 8

I would get at least a 20 gallon tank if you can afford one because your gold fish and algae eater will all get quite large and could soon out grow a 10 gallon tank.They will be happier and have better lives with more room.

Answer 9

theyll get stressed either way but put al your old water in the new tank itll make them feel better

Answer 10

there is no way really to stop them getting stressed just make sure they arnt out of the water ver ylong and try to put some of your old water in your new tank so tey feel at home.